CHAPTER 267
S.P. 467 - L.D. 1340
An Act To Amend the Law Governing the Licensure of Interpreters for the Deaf and
Hard-of-hearing
Be it enacted by the People of the State of Maine as follows:
Sec. 1. 32 MRSA §1524, as amended by PL 1999, c. 399, §10 and affected by §20, is further amended to read:
§1524. Requirements for licensure; limited interpreter and limited transliterator
To be eligible for licensure as a limited interpreter or limited transliterator under this chapter, an applicant must be at least 18 years of age and must provide the following:
1. High school diploma. Proof of a high school diploma or the equivalent;
3. Sworn statement. A sworn, signed statement that the applicant has read, understands and agrees to abide by the Code of Ethics of the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization recognized by the commissioner;
4. Proof of education and training in American Sign Language. Written Except as provided in this section, written proof of the applicant's education and training in American Sign Language, consisting of either:
A. Proof of completion of at least 100 clock hours of instruction in American Sign Language conducted by:
(1) An instructor recognized by the American Sign Language Teachers Association, or a comparable or successor organization recognized by the commissioner;
(2) An interpreter certified by either the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner; or
(3) An instructor of courses conducted through an accredited college, accredited university or accredited or approved high school or conducted by certification maintenance course sponsors approved by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner; or
B. Submission of a letter attesting that the applicant's skill level is equivalent to a person who has completed 100 hours of instruction in American Sign Language. The letter must be prepared and signed by:
(1) An instructor recognized by the American Sign Language Teachers Association, or a comparable or successor organization recognized by the commissioner;
(2) An interpreter certified by either the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner; or
(3) An instructor of courses conducted through an accredited college, accredited university or accredited or approved high school or conducted by certification maintenance course sponsors approved by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner; and
5. Proof of education and training in interpreting process. Written Except as provided in this section, written proof of completion of at least 100 clock hours of instruction in the interpreting process, which must include instruction in deaf culture and the ethics of interpreting, conducted through an accredited college, accredited university or accredited or approved high school or conducted by certification maintenance course sponsors approved by the Registry of Interpreters for the Deaf, Inc. or the National Association of the Deaf, Inc., or a comparable or successor organization of either recognized by the commissioner. Credit may not be given for interpreting process clock hours that were completed prior to 5 years from the date of application.
As an alternative to satisfying subsections 4 and 5, an applicant for licensure as a limited interpreter or limited transliterator may submit documentation of a score of 3.5 or higher on the Educational Interpreter Performance Assessment, or successor assessment.
Sec. 2. 32 MRSA §1527, as amended by PL 1999, c. 399, §14 and affected by §20, is further amended to read:
§1527. Applications for licensure; fees
An applicant for initial licensure, pursuant to section 1524, 1524-A or 1524-B, shall submit a written application with supporting documents to the department on forms provided by the department. The applicant shall pay a nonrefundable application fee established by the department in an amount not to exceed $50, and an initial license fee not to exceed $300 $325, except that an applicant who is deaf must pay an initial license fee of $100.
Sec. 3. 32 MRSA §1528, as amended by PL 1999, c. 399, §14 and affected by §20, is further amended to read:
All licenses must be renewed annually on or before June 30th of each year or at such other time as the commissioner may designate. The annual license renewal fee must be established by the department by rulemaking and may not exceed $300 $325, except that an applicant who is deaf must pay an annual license renewal fee of $100. The commissioner shall notify each licensee, at the licensee's last known address, 30 days in advance of the expiration of the license. Renewal notices must be on forms provided by the department. A license not renewed by June 30th automatically expires. The department may renew an expired license if the renewal application is returned within 90 days after the license expiration date and upon payment of a late fee of $10 in addition to the renewal fee. A person who submits an application for renewal more than 90 days after the license expiration date is subject to all requirements governing new applicants under this chapter.
Sec. 4. 32 MRSA §1528-A, sub-§1, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 399, §15 and affected by §20, is amended to read:
1. Limited interpreters. An application for renewal of a limited interpreter, limited transliterator or limited deaf interpreter license must show proof of completion of at least 15 20 hours annually of continuing education in American Sign Language or the interpreting process. This subsection does not apply to interpreters, transliterators and deaf interpreters who obtain limited licensure status pursuant to section 1532 and who have not completed the educational and training requirements set forth in section 1524, subsection 4 or section 1524-A, subsection 3.
Sec. 5. 32 MRSA §1531, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 399, §17 and affected by §20, is amended to read:
All interpreters licensed pursuant to this chapter shall disclose their license category, training and experience with specific certifications held and any postsecondary degrees to consumers and to the person or persons engaging the interpreter's services. The content and form of the disclosure must be developed by the department pursuant to rule-making provisions of the Maine Administrative Procedure Act. Rules adopted pursuant to this section are routine technical rules pursuant to Title 5, chapter 375, subchapter II-A 2-A.
Sec. 6. 32 MRSA §1532, as enacted by PL 1999, c. 399, §17 and affected by §20, is repealed.
Effective September 17, 2005.
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